How Long Do Brake Pads Last?

Your brakes are the most important safety feature on your car, for that reason it’s vital to know how long brake pads last. Often brake pads can last for more than 50,000 miles, but in other cases brake pads will only last around 20,000 miles. When you need to replace your brake pads will normally depend on the quality of the brake pads fitted, your driving style and the type of car you own.

Reasons That Will Determine How Long Your Brake Pads Last

Brake pads are probably the parts on your car that wear the most due to the massive pressure they’re under when you stop your car. That’s why the way you brake and the kind of braking you do are the biggest factors that determine how long your brake pads will last. Stop-and-go traffic in the city will have a different effect on the brake pads than braking when you go downhill. The latter amplifying the strain on the brake pads as they try carry out the already tough task of reducing the speed at which your car travels.

Apart from that, the quality of the brake pads used can also have a real impact on how long the brake pads on your car will last. Brake pads made from materials with an inconsistent quality will usually wear quicker than those with high grade materials. It’s normally advisable to use high quality aftermarket parts of OEM quality or equivalent, parts that ClickMechanic selects as standard.

Why Front Brake Pads Will Usually Last Longer Than Rear Pads

If you have owned a car for a while and have had several brakes replacements you will probably have found that the replacement of the front brakes is a far more regular affair than the rear ones. This is because front brake pads are subjected to a lot more stress as they are tasked with the majority of the burden to stop your car.

Manufacturers specifically engineer braking systems so that most of the braking is done by the front brakes for this simple reason that it will ensure your car remains stable when braking. That is why the front brake discs usually have a larger diameter than the ones at the rear, all to increase that stopping power at the front. With that the front brake pads are also subjected to a lot more stress, and therefore will wear down quicker than the rear ones.

Other Factors That Will Reduce How Long Your Brake Pads Will Last

Apart from those factors listed that will cause the brake pads to wear, it is important to keep in mind that what might seem like minor brake wear now may develop in major brake wear rapidly. If your pads are worn a lot, they may even damage your discs. If that is the case, then it is advisable to replace the brake discs and the pads at the same time. Not replacing your brake discs but only your pads in such a scenario will guarantee that those brand-new brake pads will wear down much quicker.

The best tip we can give you to ensure your brake pads will last longer is to keep on top of any brake issues and use your brakes intelligently, it may save you money on brake pad repairs in the long run.